Fitness Program for Kids

Today’s healthy adults probably were very active children. From riding bicycles to playing tag, active children create a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, more children are sitting on the couch playing video games today than are running the bases for a pick-up baseball game.

Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Today, almost one in three children is overweight or obese, and these children have higher risks for diabetes, heart disease, high-blood pressure, cancer and asthma.

So how do you get your child or grandchild to participate in more activities that promote physical fitness? Get them moving at the Good Shepherd Pediatrics Fitness Program for Kids. Held Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m., this fun program brings children together to explore a variety of fitness activities in the hopes of finding long-term exercise interests. Children ages 8 and older may join the program ($80 for an 8-week session) to explore activities such as yoga, swimming and traditional gym workouts. The Fitness Program for Kids is held at the Good Shepherd Health & Technology Center, 850 S. Fifth St., Allentown.

“In addition to promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle, the Fitness Program’s goals are to motivate its young participants, to increase self-esteem and to reduce social anxiety,” says Laurel Hackman, PTA, Good Shepherd Pediatrics. “Adopting a lifestyle of healthy eating and regular exercise as a child will only lead to fitter tomorrows.”